Ian Holloway has reportedly emerged as a surprise candidate to replace Steve Kean at Blackburn Rovers. The Blackpool boss is now believed to be one of the key contenders for the vacancy but still has outside odds of 14/1 with bookmakers Stan James. Tim Sherwood remains the odds-on favourite in the Next Blackburn Rovers Manager Market, with the likes of Alan Shearer, Mick McCarthy and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer also still in the mix.
Rovers are yet to begin the interview process despite losing Kean back in September. The Championship side have so far only made an unsuccessful approach to Tottenham for their former title-winning captain Sherwood two weeks ago. It is now looking less and less likely that they are going to be able to negotiate a deal for Sherwood, who is highly regarded by Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy. Shearer’s lack of experience and McCarthy’s emergence as a frontrunner for the Burnley job now makes Holloway an attractive option.
The Seasiders will no doubt be determined to hold onto their extrovert manager. Holloway led the club to the Premier League back in 2010 and came agonisingly close to repeating the feat last season only to suffer the heartbreak of losing in the play-off final to West Ham. Blackpool are currently 8th in the Championship and are likely to be one of Rovers' key promotion rivals.
Rovers are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Derby. After failing to win any of their last four matches they will be desperate to come away with the win in order to get their promotion bid back on track. Derby are currently the 11/8 favourites with William Hill, while Rovers can be backed at 23/10 to come away with the three points.
